The Captivating Allure of the Moscow Metro

Photographer David Burdeny captured the utterly resplendent beauty of the Moscow Metro on the occasion of its 80th birthday. The subway network opened in the 15th of May, 1935 forming an astonishing subterrenean soviet palace, with elaborate chandeliers, arched ceilings filled with an almost almost old fashioned imperial aura. The following images were exhibited in the Kostuik Gallery from October 8 to November 23, 2015.  

 

The gallery states about the exhibition:

 

Dating back to 1935, The Moscow and St. Petersburg Metro was one of the USSR’s most extravagant architectural projects. Under Stalin`s direction, the Architects were directed to introduce the concept of “svet” or light and “sveltloe budushchee” or a bright future. With their polished marble walls, high vaulted ceilings and ornate chandeliers, the Metro stations have been likened to an “artificial underground sun”. This underground paradise was to remind its riders that Stalin and his party had delivered something substantial to the people in return for their sacrifices.  

 

Burdeny has themed the series around this notion showcasing his photographs of 20 of the metro stations and various Russian museums, palaces and theatre interiors. For this new series, the artist is working with esteemed writer and translator Rosamund Bartlett, highly regarded in academic circles for completing the latest and perhaps best translation of Anna Karenina (2014).